8-Nights Highlights of Uruguay: Beach & Culture - Private Guided Experiences from $3,829

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Welcome to Uruguay

Transfer: Colonia del Sacamento Pier to Colonia del Sacramento - City Centre

Hotel: Costa Colonia Boutique Hotel (4 Star Rating)

At Costa Colonia Boutique Hotel, renowned architect Martin Gomez has created soothing modernist interiors, integrating warm materials such as wood and leather, combined with natural fabrics in bright colors. All rooms include 32" LCD TV, kitchenette with personal bar, electric kettle and China, 220-thread count cotton sheets, hairdryer and free Wi-Fi. All rooms offer balcony framed by floor to ceiling windows that provide abundant natural light throughout the day.

Day 2: Private Tour of Colonia del Sacramento

In the company of a private guide, set out on a comprehensive tour of the historic district and surrounding areas of Colonia del Sacramento. You will be picked up from your hotel, then set out to visit to the industrial area and the surroundings of Parque Ferrando. Next, explore the Real de San Carlos area, stopping at San Benito Chapel and the Mihanovich Complex which includes the former hotel (now the Polytechnic University of Valencia), the Bullring, the Frontón, and the Dock among other points of interest. Following the western coast along the bay and its beaches, the tour continues through various residential neighborhoods, leading to the city center and commercial areas. Here, a guided walk through the district offers detailed insights into the landmarks that led to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. When the time is right, you will be returned to your hotel (or to the port, depending on your onward destination).

Day 3: Private Tour of the Wineries of Carmelo

You will be picked up from your hotel in Colonia del Sacramento, then depart towards Carmelo, which is found 50 miles (80 km) north of Colonia. Along the way, your private guide will provide a brief overview of the city and its points of interest. Upon arrival, head to Bodega Legado for a short tour where you will enjoy a tasting of their internationally recognized wines paired with local cheeses. You will then travel along the Camino de los Peregrinos to a small village called Colonia Estrella, just a few minutes from Carmelo, where you will visit La Capilla Store (Bodega Cordano) for another wine tasting. Afterward, return to Colonia via Route 21, ending with a drop-off at your hotel.

Day 4: From Colonia del Sacramento to Montevideo

Transfer: Colonia del Sacramento - City Centre to Montevideo - City Centre

Hotel: Alma Historica Boutique (4 Star Rating)

Alma Historica is located in front of the most beautiful and romantic Plaza in Montevideo, Plaza Zabala, in the historic center of the city. In its surroundings are restaurants, theaters, cafes, bookstores and antique houses. The hotel features 15 different rooms in three categories. Each room is unique and inspired by characters from Uruguayan culture.

Day 5: Private Tour of Montevideo

This private-guided tour of Montevideo will introduce you to the city's most historically significant landmarks: Plaza Constitución, Metropolitan Cathedral, Sarandí Pedestrian Street, Puerta de la Ciudadela, Plaza Independencia, Teatro Solís, Parque Rodó, Punta Carretas, Punta Gorda, 18 de Julio Avenue, and Mercado Agrícola among many others. As this is a private tour, the routing and places visited will depend on your personal preferences, with flexible amounts of time granted to explore each site at an enjoyable pace. At the end of the tour, you will be returned to your hotel in Montevideo.

Day 6: From Montevideo to Punta del Este

Transfer: Montevideo - Buceo to Punta del Este - City Centre

Hotel: Hotel L'Auberge (4 Star Rating)

After decades of providing the highest level of hospitality in Punta del Este, delighting guests with a unique place, warm and personalized service, where antiques and works of art coexist with the most modern comfort, Hotel L'Auberge is waiting to welcome you. From the waffles served in the Tea Room, drinks or casual lunch in the garden or pool, to the most sophisticated business service, they demonstrate the difference in the treatment, the care of manners, the passion for detail.

Day 7: Private Tour of Punta del Este

This private exploration of Punta del Este begins in the early afternoon with a visit to the Peninsula Shopping Center, the Artisan Market, Yacht Harbor, Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria Parish, Esquina de los Cuatro Mares, and the Lighthouse. Soon after, you'll continue through residential neighborhoods with beautiful gardens and spectacular mansions, La Barra de Maldonado, the undulating bridges, Parque Indígena, El Jagüel, Beverly Hills, the neighborhoods of Lugano and Cantegril, and Maldonado, the historic capital city. The tour also includes a stop at Pinares and Punta Ballena, with an optional visit to Casapueblo, the museum and studio of Carlos Páez Vilaró, to enjoy the iconic "Misa al Sol" (Sun Ceremony). At the end of the tour, you will be returned to your hotel in Punta del Este.

Day 8: Private Tour of La Barra and Jose Ignacio

To the east of the Maldonado Stream lies La Barra, a must-visit summer nightlife destination and home to some of the finest art galleries in Uruguay. Traveling past top beaches like Montoya and Bikini, you will reach José Ignacio, a charming village that retains its fishing-town vibe. The area combines simple yet sophisticated gastronomy and architecture, featuring exclusive hotels. It’s a favorite destination for international celebrities who enjoy its stunning beaches by day and private parties at night. Upon arrival, you'll have time to explore the beaches, take photos, and enjoy the scenery. On the return journey, the tour includes two cultural highlights: The Pablo Atchugarry Museum, showcasing marble and iron sculptures in harmony with the natural landscape. The Museum of the Sea (admission not included; available for local purchase), featuring exhibits on Punta del Este's history, pirate lore, an extensive shell collection, and much more.

Day 9: Departure from Uruguay

Transfer: Punta del Este - El Golf to Montevideo - City Centre